Monday, March 27, 2017

Spring 2017 CHEM 312: Lecture 14 Plutonium Chemistry

This lecture provides basic information on the chemistry of plutonium. Discussion on the nuclear properties of 238Pu and 239Pu are included. Environmental concentrations of plutonium, including 244Pu and naturally produced 239Pu, are discussed. Large scale plutonium separations are presented, emphasizing the PUREX process. The use of volatility and ion exchange as plutonium separation techniques are also given. The synthesis and properties are metallic plutonium are described in detail. An review of metal preparation methods are provided, including the plutonium-gallium phase diagram. The physical properties of plutonium metal are given and discussed. The solution chemistry of plutonium is depicted though coordination and spectroscopy as a function of oxidation state. Examples are provided on various nature of plutonium chemistry in the tributylphosphate-nitric acid system and colloids. The non-aqueous chemistry of plutonium is described and related to electronic structure. The lecture is in 3 parts; part 1 is 38 minutes, part 2 is 40 minutes, and part 3 is 31 minutes.

Assigned: 28-March-17
Due 4-April-17

20 comments:

  1. thanks for the comments and PDF quizzes

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  2. I have submitted quiz 14. Finding the possible routes for Pu production in question 4 was somewhat difficult to me. I used the website http://www.wise-uranium.org/rcc.html to find one of the answers. Another route was given in the lecture itself. Besides this question, I believe the quiz was straight forward.

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    1. you can also use the chart of the nuclides. Look up the isotopes can see what they decay to. If they decay to a Pu isotope then are should be included.

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  3. since the watts is lower for 239Pu compared to 238 Pu can it still contribute as a good power source for space exploration?

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  4. I have completed the lecture and submitted my quiz, thank you! I never realized that Plutonium can glow red-hot because of its own heat.

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    1. Yes, Pu is a very cool element. I saw a presenation at the ACS yesterday on Pu(II). This is the first time divalent Pu has been prepared.

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  5. Submitted the quiz. thank you.

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  6. Good evening!

    I completed the lecture and submitted my quiz via email as an attachment.

    Thanks!

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  7. thanks for all the quizzes and comments.

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